Chinese ‘super-embassy’ could be ‘advantageous’ to national security, former MI5 boss claims
A proposed new Chinese super-embassy in London could be “advantageous” from a national security perspective, the former head of MI5 has said.
It comes as the government faces growing calls to reject plans for an embassy at Beijing’s Royal Mint over security concerns, with a decision on the long-delayed planning application expected this week.
But Lord Evans said having a single, larger building may not be a disadvantage when it comes to Britain’s security.
he said Times Radio: “The current director of MI5 has been quite open about the extent of the intelligence threat posed by Chinese intelligence services to the UK and its allies. So this is an area of real concern.
“There’s a judgment to be made about whether introducing this, building this, or authorizing this new embassy changes the risk. “There are some aspects of this that I would guess are probably advantageous.
“There are various Chinese diplomatic buildings in London at the moment, there are several buildings. Having a single building may not be a security disadvantage in some ways. It’s a very large embassy.”
“I am confident that this has been reviewed and appropriate safety advice has been taken.”
He added: “But having a Chinese embassy in itself has always been that way and always will be that way.
“And I don’t think that in itself is any more of a threat to our security than having a scattered number of buildings in the capital that we have now.”
It comes despite reports this week that plans for the site near the Tower of London include 208 secret rooms and one secret chamber.
Critics fear secret rooms in the basement of the site could be used to detain dissidents fleeing the Chinese state to the UK.
The secret room will be located close to data cables said to be crucial for financial sector communications between the City of London and Canary Wharf. Telegram reported.
But Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to announce that the proposal has finally been approved after the decision was repeatedly turned down.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the site on Saturday afternoon; Some carried flags and banners and chanted “no mega embassy”.
Speaking at the protest, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called on the government to intervene to stop the plans.
Accusing the government of being “scared of China”, she said: “I will always fight for freedom, and I am calling on the government to stop this decision.”
Ms Badenoch added: “We don’t want a country spying on our MPs to set up a super embassy here and I will do everything in my power to continue speaking on your behalf.”
He said China was a country that “harassed and sanctioned our MPs”, “harassed and abused British citizens linked to China”, “aided our enemies such as Russia” and “disrupted the global trading system”.
Labor MPs also expressed concerns about the embassy; nine of them sent a letter to Communities Minister Steve Reed this week urging him to reject the application.
They expressed security concerns and warned that the embassy could be used to “increase intimidation” against dissidents.
Ministers have promised to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for the Chinese embassy by January 20.
